Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Patriots 52 Red Skins 7

So after the Patriots defeated the Red Skins 52 to 7 Randall Godfrey,a line backer from the Red Skins, accused the Patriot QB of disrespecting them and running up the score. Now please understand that as I soap box about this, I know nothing about the sport and maybe I am wrong.

HOWEVER, we're talking NFL professional football. That QB is payed to SCORE points. The Patriots coach is payed to WIN games. This is so indicative of our pussyfoot sissy society.

The goal of a professional athlete should be to WIN and win big EVERY time he plays the game. I am not a sports fan, but still stand offended ESPN and NBCSports would waste our airwaves, or the Washington Times waste their paper and ink, with athletes who are offended by the gravity of their defeat.

Seriously, go home, work harder, and win bigger! That is the result a true professional would gain from that defeat. The Redskin's Godfrey need to grow up and act like a professional. He,s not playing Kindergarten ball anymore.

Monday, October 29, 2007

I NEED Dashwire

There is a beyond cool new webapp in Beta called Dashwire. It synch's everything on your Window's Mobile phone to a handy web application. View your phone photos online, send text messages from your computer, backup your contacts! All held in the power of this great application.

I am waiting for an invitation! As soon as I get one, I will let you know if it is a great as it seems in the "tour Video."

Check it out, and if you get an invite before me, comment back and make me more jealous! Seriously, if this is as cool as it looks in the video, Google should buy these bad boys up, and integrate it into Google Apps!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

In Honor of Heroes

I love Heroes. It is an amazing television show, with a great back story available via the site. In honor of heroes I made a little art.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

My First Removed Post

In 4 years of blogging I have not removed a post before today. I have removed, "The Camel's Back Is Cracking." I apologize to the MANY people at Cardinal Drive I offended by writing that post. My choice to cynically caricature the church I attend did not in way reflect the kind of love I want to live my life by. In addition to publicly acknowledging my the destructiveness of my actions, I will personally apologize to those who my words called out.

I do still thank those of you who read this blog, and lended me your support through comments and email. It was a very rough night for me, and your encouragement was invaluable.

Freedom In Christ: Blood (4/4)

Christ, dwelt among man in a body. Isaiah tells us he was to be known as Immanuel, “God with us.” The angel Gabriel, called God incarnate “Yeshua” or savior. John reported in his gospel that when the divine eternal principle of the universe entered into the flesh he was singularly defined as being full of Grace and Truth. When God dwelt among his people as their savior he was explicit in his inauguration of the time when God's emancipation from bondage would be unparalleled.

The 12 disciples traveled with Jesus for 3 years, soaking in not only the teaching, but more importantly the lifestyle of their rabbi. Dwelling among Jesus in the flesh, these men had the ability to reach out and touch the flesh of God. This residency with the very body of Christ, transformed the direction and meaning of their lives. These men, once encountering the physical presence of Almighty were no longer fishermen, tax collectors, politicos, or whatever other profession they were formerly defined by. Instead these men's identities became a lifestyle of living grace and truth in a suffering world.

No portion of scripture is more important to our lifestyle choices, than the lifestyle Jesus modeled personally. Scripture such a Mark 10:45, 1 Peter 2:21-25, Luke 4:16-21, and Matthew 14:13-14 demonstrate to us the fabric of Jesus' bodily form. Servanthood, sacrifice, redemption, and compassion were the hallmarks of Jesus' substance. To share in the personal emancipation from our bondage is implicit on participation in these principles of grace and truth that were modeled by Christ, the apostles, and the early church. When James states that faith without works is dead, he teaches us that without adoption of a new priority system that focuses our hopes and energies outward rather than inward, we will remain trapped in our dead patterns. Being a Christ follower is transformational.

Looking back into the exodus story we come to understand why it is transformational. Although the death of Pharaoh's son had freed the Hebrew, their lives were now in mortal danger. The people of God were compelled to ACT according to their freedom. It was not possible to live in the land of Egypt as a freed Hebrew. Life could not go on as it had always been. Freedom from Egypt resulted in a situation where these people were forced to flee the place that had always been home, and instead live as pilgrims of God's kingdom. There is little in common between a slave and pilgrim. A slave has a home, a pilgrim has a journey. A slave has a duty, a pilgrim has a hope. A slave has a routine, a pilgrim has a challenge. The Hebrews went from a simple routine of home and duty, to an amazing journey of challenge and hope. Acceptance of the gift of God's freedom changed everything about their lives.

Our freedom likewise changes everything. Our deliverance from our own enslavement, transitions us from living routine lives of home and duty. It instead beckons we dive into the journey and challenge of living out hope in a fallen world. It instead summons we become living embodiments of servanthood, sacrifice, redemption, and compassion. Our amnesty is an adoption that bids us to become the very body of Christ. The church, the new found citizenship of God's people, is God with us, in the flesh. We are the bodily incarnation of Christ, and our freedom lifestyle must be a proclamation that redemption has come.

Emancipation has come to the prisoners, the far eastern sweatshop, the enslaved, the American teen , the businessman, the gambler, the pornography addict, the alcoholic and to the bondage present in the mirror. Redemption through Christ blood has liberated, and we must be the flesh of Christ present in the world participating in the trademark acts of that transformation. Our freedom indentures us to the abundant life that is lived out as self-sacrificial servants in the darkest depths of bondage present among fallen mankind. Our liberty is to be the real presence of Christ body, that is the challenge and hope of this journey we are all pilgrims in.

This is part 3 of a 4 part series I wrote for the staff of the Columbus Day retreat this past weekend at Rockford Christian Camp.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Freedom In Christ: Blood (3/4)

"This is the blood of the covenant.” we have hardly no reaction to these words as they have become a rote incantation recited before we participate in a monotonous religious custom. Yet the blood spoken of by Jesus in the last supper, is the most most fundamental piece of our emancipation from bondage. The very life of almighty God was enclosed the blood of Jesus. When the savior poured out his blood as an offering of life the reality of redemption first became possible. Christ, the firstborn of creation, own spilled blood is inauguration of reconciliation out of our bondage and into the freedom of covenant relationship with God.

The nine plagues against Egypt were unable to crack Pharaoh's resolve. It was the fury of the 10th plague, the death of the firstborn son that not even he could emerge from. As the life of his son laid cold and breathless in his arms Pharaoh summoned Moses and told him, “Get out of here and be done with you—you and your Israelites!” The King's son had to die to break the toll of enslavement. The redemption of the Hebrew people was paid with the blood of the Pharaoh's son.

Other blood was shed that night also. On the door post of the Hebrew's homes was the blood of an unblemished yearling male lamb. The lamb slaughtered, like the one slaughtered in place of Issac on Mount Moriah, would be an substitutive offering to preserve life and bring victory to God's people.

The blood of the covenant was that blood. The blood of the king's son and the blood of the lamb, would unite together for the redemption of God's people. The blood of the king's son and the blood of the lamb, were powerful to liberate the shackles the people of God were prisoners to. The blood of the king's son and the blood of the lamb, were victorious in bringing union with God to this slave nation.

The blood of the king's son and the blood of the lamb, were united together in the gift of Christ. The King of King, the Infinite Almighty God, the Lord of Hosts' son became THE LAMB! United together in the unblemished savior the offering of Christ's blood became reconciliation, cleansing, sanctification, and victory to those who cover the door posts of their heart with that blood. Freedom from enslavement, bondage, oppression and death was irrevocably bestowed on those who were bathed in the redemptive power of that blood.

The blood of the king's son and the blood of the lamb, in Christ, were the blood of the covenant between man and God. No longer would man be enslaved to the bondage of his old self. No longer would life be a foreboding, lonely, march toward the grave to those who had tasted the sweet blood of the covenant. Life emancipated from the bondage of sin is realized in the blood of the covenant, that is abundant life, freedom given that we might be free, union as adopted sons and daughters of God, where our New self is seated in throne room of heaven.

When the Lion of Judah, the seed of David became the lamb slain man was brought to peace with God through the blood of the everlasting covenant. When the blood of the savior was poured out into death's caverns the veil that separated fallen man from almighty God was torn from top to bottom and mankind received a high priest whose blood would be ever poured out for their redemption.

The blood of the covenant, is the LIFE of the new creation.

This is part 3 of a 4 part series I wrote for the staff of the Columbus Day retreat this past weekend at Rockford Christian Camp.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Columbus Day Retreat Prayer Stations

We had our campers go on a guided prayer journey with their counselors Saturday night. Here are the instructions for the seven stations we left the leaders.


THE CROSS - Christ Jesus paid for the debt of our sin. In this exercise each member of your group should write the sin patterns of their life onto a provided receipt. When the receipts are filled in, have your students fold over their receipt and pass it closed to their neighbor. Each member of your cabin should pray for the peer, thanking God for the gift that paid for the sins listed. Finally, have the student staple their friends sins to the cross as a reminder.

THE BLINDFOLD -Each of your students should cover their eyes with one of the provided blindfolds. After all eyes are covered, place the object in the teens hands. At this point encourage them to feel the object and decided whether to consume the object or not. If only some or none of your students will taste the object allow a few to see it and provide counsel about the object. After you have encouraged your campers to eat the object, work with them to understand how we TRUST God even when we can not “See” where he is taking us for His blessing.

THE PRAYER CIRCLE -Have each student reach into the bucket and draw out a name. Go around the circle and have each person pray for the person whose name they drew. Before praying talk about what things you should pray for. After the prayer, discuss together how they feel about some person offering up prayers for them.

THE CINDER -Have your students attempt to hold one of the provided Cinder blocks out away from the body for an entire minute. After all the students in your group have failed this task, this time start the process over however a friend or 2 or 3 share the weight of the burden. After discussing together the parallel between the shared weight of the Cinder block, and the shared weight of our sin patters. Also note our need for Christian community to share the burdens of our fallen nature. Conclude by having a member of your cabin pray for the sense of community of your group, both here and upon their return home.


AMERICA -This should be a celebration of both the positive acts of our nation and community on our lives, but also a frank discussion of the negative parts of our culture that distract us as God peoples. Together the group should discuss their connection to our culture, and give thanks to God for his choice in placing us here as a people. But also repent of the ways we have allowed our country and culture to be an idol in his place. Pray together for our leaders, our future, our relationship in the world, our soldiers, and ALL the moral decisions facing us as a people globally, nationally, and personally.

THE ART - Here is construction paper and art supplies. As you read the supplied verses have your campers illustrate the ideas God places into their minds. Work together to find the meaning of the message to your campers. Pray that God will lead them to experience the path he has planned out for them to take.

Isaiah 11:1-9 - A shoot will come up from the stump of jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit, The spirit of the lord will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of power, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the lord.

He will no judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together and the lion will eat straw like the ox, the infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Gen 12:2-3 - I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

Matt 5:3-12 - Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for the will be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for there is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Acts 5:41-42 - The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

THE WALL - Have your students find a photograph in the magazines provided that represents a major idol in their lives. Encourage the students to share the reason for their photo choice. Glue the pictures on to the wall. Have a student our two BREAK THROUGH the wall creating a hole where your pictures were, with the provided hammer, to illustrate how we must remove those idols, to create a hole where our faith can begin to experience freedom. Pray over the students, that they would break the their wall of idolatry to move into a greater sense of freedom with God.

Freedom In Christ: Emancipation (2/4)

Emancipation, is defined as, “the act of setting free from the power of another, from slavery, subjection, dependence, or controlling influence.” As long as there has been bondage in this fallen world, people have longed to be set free. However, emancipation requires an authority with power over the oppressors, and those forces that exist to enslave do not yield their control peaceably.

On September 22, 1862 President Abraham Lincoln executed the Emancipation Proclamation officially set in motion the events that would free of all American held slaves. The event ultimately led to the bloodiest war on U.S. soil. As was demonstrated on the battlefields of our nations history, emancipation is a costly event. 700,000 deaths after the first battle at Bull Run the carnage ended at the Appomattox Courthouse as General Lee surrendered. 360,000 union soldiers spilled their blood so that emancipation could truly come to the fledgling nation state. On December 6th, 1865 the United States Congress ratified the 13th amendment, a promise that slavery and involuntary servitude would not exist in the American states. Property had been destroyed and life had been lost, but in the end the promise of emancipation had come to America. The promise of America that all men are created equal and all men should be free, had finally been fulfilled.

The exodus story is a journey of emancipation also. God heard the cries of his people's oppression. God intervened into the bondage of his son and daughters with an intent to set them free from their subjection, with a promise to bring them liberty. The process, was not without suffering. Egypt's hold on their subjection of the Hebrew people was iron clad, and the mere words of a desert nomad and his wilderness God were not about to waiver the great might of Pharaoh.

Emancipation is painful process. Their precious Nile turned to their blood. The Egyptians land swarmed with frogs, with gnats and with locusts. Pharaoh watched as the cattle died, hail fell from the sky, his citizens bodies were riddled with lice and boils, and darkness consumed the skies for days. Still the stature of Pharaoh's tyranny held strong.

The suffering was not exclusive to the oppressors. The Egyptians raised the workload, removed their supplies, and increased the beating of their slaves bodies. The suffering of God's people was so great they longed for the oppression they were familiar with. Freedom became a stench to those who did not want to bear it's toll. The Hebrew's journey to freedom, was not a marble promenade, it was a dangerous trail that while punishing the hold the oppressors retained, it also tested the limits of those desiring liberation.

Our own exodus, from the bondages to which we are enslaved, is also a pain filled journey. Our emancipation likewise requires an eradication of the comforts of our familiar places. Emancipation requires conflict, it's bottom line is always death. As we long to receive our promised liberation we must accept the adversity of the journey. As we claim our Freedom as God's people we must be remember Christ, whose body was broken and whose blood was spilled, so that the promise of freedom could irrevocably be fulfilled.


This is part 2 of a 4 part series I wrote for the staff of the Columbus Day retreat this past weekend at Rockford Christian Camp.

Monday, October 08, 2007

Freedom In Christ: Bondage (1/4)

Bondage, the word draws up so many visual pictures to us. We see prisoners sitting in tiny cells, young girls in a far eastern sweatshop, slaves harvesting a cotton field in the 19th century American South, an American teen with a razor and another cut across her forearm, a businessman in a red light district. It's a gambling problem, a pornography addiction, or alcoholism. Not one of us has to look farther than a mirror to experience a person struggling personally with bondage. Bondage is as common the human condition as the need for water and air.

Bondage has been a part of the fallen nature from it's very inception. From the fear of God's arrival after the eating of the forbidden fruit: through the loneliness of the blame game in answering God's inquires: to the ultimate death that would occur once banished from the perfection of Eden. Once sin entered the reality of mankind, the bondage it wrought would ever plague the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve.

Bondage is as ever present in man's story as God's own presence. The Bible illustrates this as Able in bondage to pride kills his brother. This history God left to us continues with examples of bondage played out over and over in Noah, in Abraham, in Issac, and even in Joseph. Once man's Genesis story has ended the song of bondage replayed like broken record.

Act one in the book of Exodus is the story of God's people crying out from the weight of their bondage. Enslaved by the Egyptians for generations, their sons brutally murdered at birth, their people living as aliens, these Hebrews, Abraham's sons, called out to their God for freedom from this bondage.

God heard their cries, and he raised up a messenger to convey only one message, “God's people will be FREE!” That promise is as real today as it was in that African desert nearly 4000 years ago. God's story parallels our own, for in each and every tragedy of each and every man God has been faithful to his one message, “God's people will be FREE!”

The question is will you accept that freedom, and will you convey that message to those suffering the oppression of bondage around you?

This is part 1 of a 4 part series I wrote for the staff of the Columbus Day retreat this past weekend at Rockford Christian Camp.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

The High Places Of My Heart

My Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:31-21

The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their fathers. - 2 Chronicles 20:33

My heart keeps bringing me back to this repeated warning in the narrative of the people of Judah. Jehosphat did so much good, and made so many right decisions, yet his heart and the heart of the people was not sold out to God. He loved God, and he believed in God, but he did not belong to God in the sold out way that would have turned the people from their high places and aligned their hearts with God's heart.

My first reaction is, "so what then am I to understand is the problem with the high places?" The answer is found in a better understanding of what the high places were. The high places served two functions in Israel. The most common was a place of pagan worship. There would be among other things prostitutes there to meet the physical needs of the worshipers, along with an additional variety of self centered worship icons. The other times, though more noble was still as rebellious, they were used as local centers for the worship of God. An altar, levities and other instruments of honor to God could be found present at these times. The problem, even in the periods of time when the people's hearts seemed aligned to God, was that God had ordered the destruction of the high places (Ex. 34:13 & Deut. 12:11-14), and allowed for the use of but one altar (Lev. 17:3) which was an allegorical reference to the body of Christ and his singular ability to bring salvation to the dead soul of mankind.

So then the High Places represented 4 things that were displeasing to God and contrary to relationship with him. Idolatry, Impurity, Selfishness, and Rebellion. At their worst times it was Idolatry in the worship of god's with impurity represented in the defiling of the body with the pagan prostitutes. Even at best the high places were centers of selfishness in the worship of God on the people own terms while being rebellious in the ignoring of God's terms.

I have the same high places in my heart. The same struggles are represented identically. From times of idolatry and impurity when my lusts are set on things I can see with my eyes to my better times when even still I approach God by my standard, my will, and my desires. I shy from the discomfort of the spirit's leading, and ignore the call to be more righteous and more filled with the Spirit. I have the same result. These high places keep my heart from being totally committed to the Lord. I open myself up be a victim of the kingdom of the evil one because my places exist, and my heart is not fully committed. We return again to the words of the greatest command, Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:29-30


This is part of a series of 3 posts, I wrote about 2 years ago collectively called "No Ashera Poles". They were three personal posts and I never had any intentions really of publishing them. However I decided today to go ahead and throw them out there.

Super Kevin and His Trusty Side Kick God!!!

My Reading - 2 Chronicles 20

Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar" (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. -2 Chr 20:2-3

Adversity is always terrifying. Whether you are the King of Judah and it is large armies of Edomites; or you are an average 21st century American dealing with your own struggles and addictions, the terror of adversity is the same. Adversity causes fear, fear causes desperation, and desperation causes dependence. This dependence is the reason for our adversity. The question of why do bad things happen to good people is not answered in a simple, "adversity leads to dependence" since all great issues are more complicated than a one sentence answer. Yet it is simple and true that God uses the myriad of reasons for "bad things" to allow us to surrender to him and experience the blessing of this dependence.

And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's. Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you." - 2 Chr 20:15-17

The experience of God's deliverance outlined here is the same promise of deliverance God offers us. God offer us the opportunity to face adversity with the promise, "Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf," Paul put it this was in the well known writing about the armor of God, "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then..."(Eph 6:13-14) Three times in his introduction to his explanation on the armor of God he encourages us that our role is to STAND. God's promise is a message of deliverance. God does not call us to call him for assistance, leadership, or direction. God's call is greater, it is a call of complete surrender, it is the call to humble ourselves, and wait for his deliverance.

Our call to stand is a challenge to our pride. I am much more comfortable with Super Strong Kevin and his trusty side kick, GOD!!!! But this attitude of pride is not the path to victory. My own continued spiritual failures come from relying on God's assistance, rather than crying out for his deliverance. When we place our strength and trust in the God of salvation, the God of deliverance we will arrive at the battles of our own adversity, only to see the Lord's victory has already preceded us.

This is part of a series of 3 posts, I wrote about 2 years ago collectively called "No Ashera Poles". They were three personal posts and I never had any intentions really of publishing them. However I decided today to go ahead and throw them out there.

Jumpin Jehosphat Did He Do That

My Reading - 2 Chronicles 18

Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage. -2 Chr 18:1

The problem here in this chapter started LONG before the battle, the lying prophets, and the search for Michaia. The problem started in Jehosphat's aliance with Ahab. I am challenged by the decision of Jehosphat to make such an alliance. Godliness, the law, and holiness are his trademarks; Idolatry, wealth, and selfishness are Ahab's.

Some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle for him and the people with him and urged him to attack Ramoth Gilead. Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?"
Jehoshaphat replied, "I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war." - 2 Chr 18:2-3

UnGodly alliances are easy for me to make. I align myself with people, ideas, entertainment that I know do not challenge my pursuit of God the way I claim to desire. I go to war in the name of these, not to forsake God, but in spite of my relationship with God.

But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD." - 2 Chr 18:4

I relate with Jehosphat so much. I want Godliness, but I want these alliances. I want to justify my participation in these by seeking the Lord's guidance, but unfortunately and all to often after my decision to participate not before. I do not seek God's will for my decision, I seek God's blessing of my decision.

Micaiah declared, "If you ever return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me." Then he added, "Mark my words, all you people!"
So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will enter the battle in disguise, but you wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. - 2 Chronicles 18:27-29

Even worse is when I do not get the blessing and I keep my alliances. Jehoshaphat heard God's condemnation of this enterprise clearly and still he allowed Ahab to disguise himself and off he went into the battle. I know there are things God does not want me participating in. I have sought the Lord and he has been faithful time and again to show me His better paths, to reveal that His will falls outside of my man made alliances, and still I return to my old sin patterns, return to my old habits and ignore the leading and direction he gives. Like Jehoshaphat I choose the alliance, I have always known I should have never made.

This is part of a series of 3 posts, I wrote about 2 years ago collectively called "No Ashera Poles". They were three personal posts and I never had any intentions really of publishing them. However I decided today to go ahead and throw them out there.

Monday, October 01, 2007

The Power of the Blood of Jesus

Andrew Murray - a 19th century Dutch Reformed minister and first president of YMCA wrote over 240 books in lifetime. I am currently reading "The Power of the Blood of Jesus" This quote really struck a chord with me.

The hidden value of His blood is the spirit of self-sacrifice, and where the blood really touches the heart, it works out in that heart, a like spirit of self-sacrifice. We learn to give up ourselves and our lives, so as to press into the full power of that new life, which the blood. has provided.

We give our time in order that we may become acquainted with these things by God's Word. We separate ourselves from sin and worldly-mindedness, and self-will, that the power of the blood may not be hindered, for it is just these things that the blood seeks to remove.

We surrender ourselves wholly to God in prayer and faith, so as not to think our own thoughts, and not to hold our own lives as a prize, but as possessing nothing save what He bestows. Then He reveals to us the glorious and blessed life which has been prepared for us by the blood.

So basically since Life is in the blood and Christ giving us his blood was the ultimate step of self sacrifice this means that participation in self-sacrifice is where we most experience our "life" in Christ. Our participation in the service of restoring justice to others is the ultimate form of participation in Christ's redemptive work.

The book is free online in an old english translation. A modern translation is available in paperback for only $9 on Amazon.

Power In The Blood